Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, George Square – is it time for change, closes TOMORROW, 30 October
2. Glasgow, Dalmarnock West, Commuter Parking restrictions, closes FRIDAY, 01 November
3. **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Filtering Silvertonhill Avenue, Snap Survey, closes?
4. **NEW** Dundee, Low Emission Zone, closes?
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20 mph Speed Limit Zone Order, closes 11 November
6. East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive cycle lanes, closes 15 November
8. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road & A81 Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December
9. **NEW** Law Commission Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, public consultation event TOMORROW, 30 October
2. Glasgow, University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting, 15 November – plus more disruption on University Avenue!
3. Glasgow, Skirving Street and Deanston Drive, place-making, 21 November

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue
2. North Lanarkshire, Work to start on Horsley Brae junction improvements
3. Scotland’s National Transport Strategy consultation: GoBike submission
4. Glasgow, Planning Application for 48 homes, Beith Street, Partick
5. East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.54
6. Glasgow, Winter Gritting Arrangements, now to include some cycle lanes
7. Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, George Square – is it time for change, closes TOMORROW, 30 October

We detailed this short survey in Digest 45, Item 1.5, so do please look at it before the survey closes tomorrow. It’s just a short survey with lots of views already in supporting the removal of motor traffic. Do add to this!

1.2 Glasgow, Dalmarnock West, Commuter Parking restrictions, closes FRIDAY, 01 November

This was a new item in Digest 45 – see Item 1.6, where we have detailed the parking chaos to the west of Dalmarnock Station across to the Police Scotland offices, which even spreads to the other side of the river at Shawfield. Here’s the letter GoBike sent in 2 weeks ago – do please add your support.

1.3 **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Filtering Silvertonhill Avenue, Snap Survey, closes?

Here’s a drawing of the proposal to close the through route from Silvertonhill Avenue to Chestnut Crescent in Hamilton to motor vehicles, but maintain two-way cycle access. Here’s the information that GoBike member, Derek Y, sent in:

” South Lanarkshire Council have proposed a filter at bottom/north of Silvertonhill Avenue with cycle access. This cuts down through traffic on residential streets and makes it easier for children to cross to Woodside Primary School west of Johnstone Road. A shame it keeps 1-way at north without cycle contraflow – you might wish to suggest this in your response to the Survey (with plans on p2) at https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=157053578908 “

Derek had tried to improve even further on permeability for cycling in this area so if you know this part of Hamilton do please advise South Lanarkshire Council of what more could be done – there’s a space in the survey to add comments.

This is just the sort of thing that we’d love to see more of all over the Greater Glasgow and Strathclyde area as modal filters make local areas nicer by discouraging rat-running, short journeys by car more unattractive and provide alternatives for people travelling by bicycle.

There’s no apparent closing date for the survey so do respond to it quickly. It’s really easy and very short.

1.4 **NEW** Dundee, Low Emission Zone, closes?

This is another quick survey that we have heard about from Friends of the Earth, but there is no indication of a closing date. You might only cycle in Dundee on your hols or travel to the city to visit the V&A or the Discovery but surely you will want the air to be as clean as it can be?

Here’s the email received on 24 October from FoE:

” Everyone who lives, works or visits Dundee city centre is being exposed to dangerous air pollution. The Council has a plan that will do little to change that. That’s why we need everyone in Scotland to speak up. 

Dundee Council are asking for the public’s views on their Low Emission Zone (LEZ) plans. We have provided a step-by-step guide that will help you respond quickly and effectively. Click to take action

A Low Emission Zone should restrict the worst polluting vehicles and protect the health of people who live and work in the area. But Dundee’s LEZ plans are a tiny zone which ignores Lochee Road –  consistently one of the most polluted roads in the whole of Scotland! 

This Zone needs to improve air quality for anyone who spends time in Dundee and that means making sure it cleans up the most polluted areas. 

The First Minister, and many councils, have declared a climate emergency. But we’re still seeing business-as-usual ideas. Climate emissions from transport are the same now as they were in 1990. 

There is an opportunity for Dundee to show real leadership and move away from fossil fuelled vehicles. If Dundee Council hear from enough people demanding more ambition, they will have to pay attention. 

Please take a few minutes to respond to the consultation now “

I found the various option pictures a wee bit confusing so the FoE guidance was a big help.
Do respond to this quick survey and let’s get Low Emission Zones in all Scotland’s cities.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20 mph Speed Limit Zone Order, closes 11 November

Sighthill redevelopment continues and Glasgow City Council is looking to introduce a 20mph speed limit for the area. Here’s the email that we received on 21 October:

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SIGHTHILL), (MANDATORY 20mph SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and I wish to establish the preliminary views of your organisation prior to the publication of these proposals.

Background to the proposed Order
Glasgow City Council are proposing to implement a mandatory 20mph speed limit in Sighthill. 

The purpose of the Mandatory 20mph Zone is to ensure that vehicle users reduce their speeds to 20mph or less, and therefore improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and all other vehicle users.  By turn, it is anticipated that this will encourage more people to walk and cycle, which will naturally see improved health benefits.  

Area affected by the proposed Order

The roads affected by these proposals are bounded by:-
The order will affect the residential area generally bounded by St. Rollox Drive to the north,  Springburn Road to the east. The M8 motorway to the south and the railway line to the west.

The roads affected by the proposals are:
Cuddies, Campus Place, Fountainwell Drive, Fountainwell Gardens, Fountainwell Groove, Fountainwell Road, Hopepark Wynd, Hopepark Court, Huntingdon Street, Huntingdon Road, Huntingdon Close, Huttons Drive, Pinkston Road, Pinkston Drive, Pinkston Wynd, Sighthill Avenue, Sighthill Circus, Sighthill Park Gate,  Sighthill Park Terrace, Stalk Court, Tower Place.

Details of the proposed Order
The proposed Order (as depicted on the attached plans) will comprise of:-

·        The implementation of a 20mph speed limit. 

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (reply by 11^th November 2019).

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike)

Should the Council proceed with these proposals; a copy of the Notice of the proposed Order will be forwarded to you intimating an opportunity to lodge any objections to the proposals.

Yours faithfully

Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

The plan mentioned above is here.

GoBike will be supporting this proposal, probably the first time such a large area has been covered by a 20mph TRO, our only concern being how compliance will be ensured. If you live in Sighthill or travel through there please do add your support to this move; Sighthill is a residential area where children, and everybody else, should be able to move about without fear of being mowed down by a motor vehicle going too fast.

1.6 East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November

This consultation was featured in Digest 45, Item 1.7 and there is now just one Consultation Event left to go to – and that’s tomorrow!
Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre – Wednesday 30 October – 3pm-7pm

If you can get there please do, and send any views to consultations@gobike.org so that we can include them in our response.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive cycle lanes, closes 15 November

Work on the proposals initiated by local businesses was unfortunately postponed when concerns were raised about the initial proposals for Byres Road, but GoBike received this email on 18 October:

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (QUEEN MARGARET DRIVE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant plan (drawing 5126-001 A), statement of reasons and detailed report.

A copy of the draft order, the plan, statement of reasons and report for proposing to make the order are available for inspection at the following locations:

·        Reception, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX

·        Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8AP

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Exchange House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or to Christine Francis by e-mail, to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 15 November 2019.

Yours faithfully

Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

The documents mentioned in the email are here: copy of the draft order, the plan, the statement of reasons and the report.

We have already, 28 October, submitted a clear GoBike response , written by Calum, but the main proposals, from the City Council, which you might wish to read before you read the GoBike view are given in the report and are repeated here:

“The proposed Order (as depicted on the attached plans) will comprise of:-

1. Removal of parking and extension of the existing ‘No waiting, no loading at any time’ restrictions on the West kerbline of Queen Margaret Drive between Clouston Street and Kelbourne Street.
2. Proposed segregated two-way cycleway on West footway of Queen Margaret Drive between Hamilton Drive and the existing bus stop located approximately 175m north of Hotspur Street.
3. Existing bus stops to be retained.
4. Existing loading bays to be retained.
5. Existing taxi rank, on East kerbline of Queen Margaret Drive, to be retained.
6. Removal of the existing bus lane on Queen Margaret drive from a point approximately 40m North of Kelbourne Street for a distance of approximately 220m north to accommodate a two-way segregated cycleway. “

While the proposals will improve things for people cycling on Queen Margaret Drive, we have found that issues we have highlighted on other schemes are repeated here. This is worrying but we have made clear our concerns in our submission.

1. 8 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road & A81 Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December

Here’s the email that we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 23 October:

“The East Dunbartonshire Council (A81 Milngavie Road and A81 Maryhill Road, Bearsden)(Redetermination Of Means Of Passage To Be By Pedal Cycle And Foot Only) Order.

The Council is promoting the above mentioned Traffic Regulation Order. Enclosed is a copy of the draft Order together with a copy of the plan indicating the locations of the footways and Statement of Reasons for the proposal. Also enclosed is a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald that is published on 1st November 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 2 December 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. (See attached file: 191022 Draft Redetermination Order Cluny Park area.pdf)

Regards,
Fiona Stirling, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ”

Here’s a further copy of the document from East Dunbartonshire Council, which includes a copy of the plan and the redetermination proposal.

This proposal is very near to the area where GoBike has supported the earlier proposal, see Digest 45, Item 1.2, to introduce parking and loading restrictions at the south end of Rannoch Drive.
It appears to be a move to ameliorate potential collisions and near misses at the junction of the A81 and the Switchback, by allowing people to cycle on the footway. It would have been better all round if the extension south of the Bears Way had been built.
GoBike will be submitting a response but if you do have views please get them to us, by emailing consultations@gobike.org

1.9 **NEW** Law Commission Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

Here’s an interesting email that we received on 16 October from the UK Law Commission:

“Dear All,

We are pleased to announce the publication of the second consultation paper in our three-year review of the UK’s regulatory framework for automated vehicles. This launches a three-month public consultation.

This paper looks at the regulation of self-driving vehicles which could travel empty or only with passengers, without a human driver or user-in-charge. We focus on self-driving vehicles providing mobility services to the public, which we refer to as Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS. Today’s paper builds on the work in our first consultation on safety assurance and allocating legal responsibility.

We invite you to respond to the paper by 16 January 2020. We have set up an online portal for submitting responses but welcome input in any format. If you have ideas for consultation events or would like a meeting please get in touch.

The consultation paper, summary and details for how to respond are available on our project page at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/automated-vehicles/ 

Yours sincerely,

Automated Vehicles Team – Law Commissions

Automated Vehicles | Law Commission | Public Law Team
1st Floor, Tower, Post Point 1.54, 52 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AG“

We weren’t too impressed with the first consultation on this topic, see Digest 27, Item 1.1
The banner picture above is from their email so they do acknowledge that these driverless vehicles will be operating near people walking or cycling. We’ll be conferring with other organisations as to their views, but if you have any do let us know.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, public consultation TOMORROW, 30 October

This event, tomorrow, mentioned also in Item 1.6 above, is the last in a series of public meetings about the Local Transport Strategy:

Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre – Wednesday 30 October – 3pm-7pm

Do please get there if you can.

2.2 Glasgow, University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting, 15 November – plus more disruption on University Avenue!

GoBike member, Derek M, told us about this meeting that might just be of interest? Here’s the email he forwarded to us:

“From: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Date: 22 October 2019 at 12:50:48 BST
To: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Subject:University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting

The University of Glasgow will hold a public meeting on Wednesday 13 November to update about progress on its Campus Development Programme.

The event will be held in the Wolfson Medical Building (Gannochy Room), from 18:30 – 20:00. You can register to attend through Eventbrite.

The meeting is open to the public and will focus on the ongoing and upcoming work taking place on the Gilmorehill campus, particularly on the site of the former Western Infirmary.

The agenda includes presentations from University project managers, as well as construction partners.

We intend to update on the following areas, however there will also be the opportunity for questions.

1. Infrastructure on University Avenue, University Place, and future demolitions along Church Street;
2. Construction update for the James McCune Smith Learning Hub and the Research Hub;
3. Overview of planning and final design for the Clarice Pears Building (Institute of Health & Wellbeing);
4. Planning and anticipated programme for the Adam Smith Business School and landscaping for the Southern Gateway;
5. A look inside the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, the Research Hub, including community facilities;
6. Community benefits;
7. Q&A.

Due to a busy agenda, please note the event will start at 18:30 prompt. Refreshments are available in the Atrium of the Wolfson Medical School Building from 18:00.

Tickets are not required, however attendees are encouraged to register, so that we have an indication of numbers. 

For those who have attended these meeting before, the Gannochy Room is next to the lecture theatre where the sessions are usually held.

Please direct queries to campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk“

Item 1 could keep the discussion going for quite a while! Do get along if you are studying or working at the university or if you have been involved in the campaign for good cycle infrastructure on University Avenue.

PLUS, just in case you don’t find negotiating University Avenue traumatic enough, here’s news of services works, that we received on 26 October:

“I’m writing to let you know we will shortly be starting our project to upgrade the gas network in University Avenue, Glasgow. This essential work involves the replacement of old, metal gas mains with new plastic pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply.
Following discussions with Glasgow City Council our project will start on Monday 4 November and last approximately ten weeks. We’ll be carrying out the work over two phases to help minimise disruption.

Each phase is described below.

Phase one – approximately five weeks
On Monday 4 November, we’ll begin working in University Avenue between Kelvin Way and Hillhead Street. During this phase, most of our work will be taking place on the footpath however, cycle lanes may be closed to allow pedestrian access.

Phase two – approximately five weeks
From Monday 6 January 2020, we’ll be working in University Avenue between Hillhead Street and University Gardens. During this phase, we’ll also be installing temporary three-way traffic lights in University Avenue at its junction with Hillhead Street. The lights will be manually controlled during peak hours to help minimise inconvenience as much as possible.We’ll be posting regular updates on our website https://one.network/?112401221 and using social media and traffic bulletins to keep residents and motorists informed.
Please feel free to share this information with your stakeholders and anyone else who may be impacted by our work.

one.networkone.networkOne platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.”

No mention of temporary cycle lanes or cycle phases in the temporary traffic lights, but good that they will be keeping “motorists informed”!

If you attend the event on the 15th, you might wish to ask about this?

2.3 Glasgow, Skirving Street and Deanston Drive, place-making, 21 November

GoBike member, Alasdair, has told us about this Sustrans event to be held in Shawlands:

Consultation Feedback

3.1 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue

GoBike supported moves to prohibit parking and loading around the car showrooms in this area, see our last Digest, Issue 45, Item 1.2 and we have now received this acknowledgement from East Dunbartonshire Council:

“Good morning Tricia
Thank you for responding. A copy of your email with attached letter has been forwarded to the Council’s Roads and Transportation.
Regards Fiona Stirling, Legal Services“

This now appears to be part of moves to improve active travel in this part of Bearsden – see also Item 1.8 above.

3.2 North Lanarkshire, Work to start on Horsley Brae junction improvements

GoBike gets very little information from North Lanarkshire but we doubt that the forthcoming changes to this area make an improvement for cycling. They will certainly speed up northbound through traffic and extend the potential conflict with merging motor traffic southbound. Read on for the message we received on 21 October:

“Work to start at Horsley Brae junction

Work starts from today (21 October) on improvements to the road layout at the A71 Horsley Brae junction with the B7011 Brownlee Road.

North and South Lanarkshire Councils and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) are investing a total of £1.6 million in the project which aims to reduce congestion at the busy junction.

The A71 will be widened to create a right-turn lane northbound, for traffic turning on to Brownlee Road, and a merging lane for traffic travelling south on Brownlee Road and joining the A71.

A contractor JH Civil Engineering Ltd has been appointed to carry out the work, which is expected to take approximately 26 weeks.

Traffic management will be used to allow vehicles to continue using the A71 during the majority of the works, however during certain phases of the proposed works, it is expected that road closures will be necessary. The most effcieint diversion routes will be advised in advance of the closure.

“This is a very busy junction particularly at morning and evening peak times, with traffic queuing to turn right which leads to delays and congestion back to the Garrion Bridge roundabout,” said Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of the Environment and Transportation Committee.

“By creating a right-turn lane with capacity for approximately 14 cars, we will reduce the queue of northbound cars while the southbound merging lane will improve traffic flow away from the junction.

“Improvements will also be made to pedestrian routes across the junction to make the popular Clyde walkway safer.

“We appreciate that the roadworks will cause delays over the coming months but, when complete, we will see significant improvements in traffic flow and road safety for drivers and pedestrians.”

Information about the project will be on the web site and updates posted on Facebook and Twitter @nlcpeople.

SPT are investing £800,000 in the project with both councils contributing £400,000 each.”

No mention of people cycling there and probably no allowance will be made for bikes during the works – although we live in hope – so do take care if you are out and about in this area.

3.3 Scotland’s National Transport Strategy consultation: GoBike submission

This consultation closed on 23 October – details have been in our last few Digests – and our well-considered submission was sent in on 21 October. Here it is, and we are very grateful to Brenda for giving it so much thought and investigation.

And we received this automatic reply:

“Thank you for submitting your response to the draft National Transport Strategy consultation.  An analysis of all responses will be carried out to allow us to shape the Strategy and help us all to achieve better outcomes for Scotland’s citizens, communities and businesses.  The results of the consultation will be published on the Transport Scotland website by the end of 2019.  Once published, you will be notified by email and an update on the next stage will be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact  NTS2@transport.gov.scot“

3.4 Glasgow, Planning Application for 48 homes, Beith Street, Partick

GoBike joined many others in opposing a residential development in the green space between Beith Street and the Expressway. Our objection was published in Digest 42, Item 3.6 and we have now been sent this message, dated 23 October:

“Dear Sir/Madam

I refer to representations made by you regarding the above application for Planning Permission.

I am writing to advise you that Glasgow Planning Local Review Committee has received a request to review the decision taken by the Appointed Officer under delegated powers.

The Committee will take into account your previous representations during its deliberations. Any further representations you wish to make on the review should be submitted to the address below within 14 days of the date of this letter, quoting the review reference number. A copy of the representations will be sent to the applicant for comment.

Planning Local Review Committee
Development & Regeneration Services
231 George Street
Glasgow, G1 1RX
E-mail: onlineplanning@glasgow.gov.uk 

A review of the case by virtue of Section 43A(8) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) will be conducted by the Council’s Planning Local Review Committee. Details of the date, time and place of the meeting will be forwarded to you as soon as possible after all the relevant information has been received. At that meeting, the Planning Local Review Committee will consider if the review documents provide sufficient information to enable it to determine the review and may determine the review without further procedure.

However, the Committee may determine that the review is to be conducted by one of, or a combination of the following:-

• by means of written submissions
  • by the holding of one or more hearing sessions; and
  • by means of an inspection of the land to which the review relates

If the Committee decide to hold a hearing you will be contacted again and given the opportunity to attend.

All the documentation relating to the review is available to view online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/onlineplanning.

Please note that parties to a review will be expected to meet their own administration costs.“

Let’s hope that in the face of well over 100 objections that this is the end of the road for such an anti-active-travel proposal that would destroy green space and bring more motor vehicles to this residential street.

3.5 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.54

We received East Dunbartonshire’s LDP Newsletter 54 on 17 October with this explanatory email:

“Please find attached the latest newsletter from East Dunbartonshire Council’s Land Planning Policy team. This edition includes details of the following:
Local Development Plan 2 ‘Main Issues Report’ consultation
Draft Local Transport Strategy consultation “

3.6 Glasgow, Winter Gritting Arrangements, now to include some cycle lanes

GoBike’s co-Convenor, John, has been involved in discussions about the gritting of cycle lanes and now GoBike members, Derek M and Alasdair, have sent this link to the arrangements for this coming winter:

https://glasgowgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=d383df28e39d48b294e66826d2c1456d

Do take care, though, when you are out and about.

3.7 Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme

In Digest 45, Item 3.2 we published the reply sent by Glasgow City Council to our concerns about the proposed traffic calming scheme for Glencairn Drive near Maxwell Park, along with our response.
On 28 October this further reply was received, showing absolutely no acknowledgement of the concern that there appeared to be a mistake on one of their drawings!

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER – TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted e-mail, I can advise that your comments will be taken on board for future proposals.

As previously advised, the responsibility for the installation of speed cameras lies with Safety Cameras Scotland, who have their own criteria for the installation of speed cameras, which is stricter than our criteria for the installation of traffic calming.

I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

Michael Brady, Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability

From: Tricia Fort [mailto:consultations@gobike.org]
Sent: 11 October 2019 16:04
To: Mailroom, Land Services (NS) <LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk>
Subject: Re: FW: The Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme – Mail id no 393585

Dear Mr Brady,

Thank you for replying to our letter of 17 September and your response to some of the points made therein. For your reference I attach one of the drawings issued as part of this TRO, which clearly shows a gap of 0.55m between cushion and kerb. The GoBike response was based on this drawing. Will you please issue the correct version of the drawing?

I also attach a screenshot showing a view of the road that shows the setts in the gutter, which do not form an acceptable cycling surface. However, I note your comment about the space between the middle cushions and we have to hope that people will be confident enough to use this gap when they are cycling on this road.

It is unfortunate, in our view, that the City Council does not take a more global view when there are concerns expressed about speeding. Rather than maintain this wide road, and others, as one primarily for motor vehicles we would prefer a move towards streets for people. It is also a curious policy that you continue to spend public money to restrain motor drivers who choose to break speed limits, rather than requesting that speed cameras be installed. Thank you, though for the clarification on speed cameras and the link to the relevant website.

We maintain our support for the reduction of dangerous speeds but object to the proposed method of achieving your aims at this location.

Tricia Fort
for Consultations, GoBike, Strathclyde Cycle Campaign, www.gobike.org“

A telephone call to the City Council has elicited the information that the drawing issued, with the critical dimension shown above, was incorrect, but who knows what the final as-built arrangement will be?

Almost world-wide news in this edition, but we hope you have found it of interest.

They have written a letter of appeal to local councillors and would like help hand delivering them to local surgeries. If you can help get in touch on their facebook or via email.

Several of the lovely people who attended last weeks Pedal on Parliament protest to finish the Bears Way asked how they could help to get the project completed. I decided to put this to one of my local councillors, to which the response was “community activism”. 

Having organised a number of rides, attended workshops, a petition and written to politicians at local government level, we are now in the process of sending out letters to the areas MSPs & MP. We would be grateful if you could lend weight to these letters by attending local MSP/ MP surgeries (details of which or are available on the members websites) or e-mailing them directly asking that the Bears Way be completed.

We will be writing to the following – 

Rona Mackay MSP for Strathkelvin & Bearsden (SNP) c.c. Cabinet Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity

Gil Paterson MSP for Milngavie & Clydebank (SNP) c.c. Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity

Maurice Golden MSP (Conservative) West of Scotland List – Member of Environment Climate Change & Land Reform Committee

Maurice Corry MSP (Conservative) West of Scotland List – Member of Cross-Party Group on Accident Prevention & Safety Awareness

Ross Greer MSP – Scottish Greens West of Scotland List – Health and Sport Committee Substitute Member

Jamie Greene MSP (Conservative) West of Scotland List – Member of Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee

Jo Swinson MP (Liberal Democrats) – East Dunbartonshire

Last week the Scottish Government declared a Climate Emergency. Road vehicles are a significant contributor to carbon emissions. We look forward to these MSPs/ MPs taking the lead to ensure that low-carbon, cost-effective, transition measures such as the Bears Way cycleway are not abandoned mid-way.

Thanks to you all.

This fortnight we have two new consultations in from East Dunbartonshire, plus high level previews of two Strategic Development Frameworks (SDFs) for Glasgow (the River Clyde corridor and Govan – Partick), as well as an update on campaigning for a 20mph default speed limit in our towns and cities.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, closes this Friday, 21 December
2. **NEW** Glasgow, Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road, Traffic Calming, closes Friday 04 January 2019, but views accepted until 11 January
3. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Proposed Traffic Calming Measures – Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, closes Friday 04 January 2018
4. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Proposed No Waiting & No Loading At Any Time Restrictions on Westerhill Road, Bishopriggs, closes 28 January 2019
5. The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January 2019
6. **NEW** Scottish Law Commission Automated Vehicles consultation closes 08 February 2019
7. **NEW** Glasgow Strategic Development Frameworks for the River Clyde and Govan Partick closes 08 February 2019
8. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, closes 11 February 2019

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow Battlefield, news of the website and next Design Group meeting
2. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, Transport Options Report Stakeholder Workshop Thursday 24 January 2019 – 10am-12noon

Section 3: Consultation Feedback and other information

1. Living Streets, the Pedestrian Pound Report
2. Without consultation! Glasgow City Council Minor Cycle Works, upgrade to shared path North Street / Piccadilly Street
3. Glasgow North East Active Travel Routes
4. Glasgow Elmbank Street one-way – interest from Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, ie Oswald Street and Union Street, closes this FRIDAY, 21 DECEMBER

Please do write in about this. All the details were in our last two digests, 22 and 23, which you may read here. It’s important that we get good active travel infrastructure everywhere in the city, not just on the super designated avenues.

1.2 Glasgow City Council, Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road, Traffic Calming Scheme 2018, closes 04 January, but views will be accepted until 11 January 

On Friday 14 December we received this email from the City Council:

“Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (MAXWELL DRIVE AND BRUCE ROAD), TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME 2018

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and I wish to establish the views of your organisation.

Background to the proposed Scheme

The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme

The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

MAXWELL DRIVE

Details of the proposed Scheme

The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 6 sets of 4.5m long, 75mm high speed tables

BRUCE ROAD

Details of the proposed Scheme

The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 5 sets of 4.5m long, 75mm high speed tables

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant Scott Downie on 0141 287 9351.

Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.

Yours faithfully

Andy Waddell, Head of Infrastructure and Environment, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

We haven’t got long to get this back, 21 days, which means 04 January! However, in a  phone conversation on Monday 17 December Scott Downie confirmed that, given the number of public holidays coming up, views would be accepted until 11 January (and possibly after that). In comparison to Albert Drive, which we responded to back in October, see Digest 19 Item 1.2, cycle lanes are in evidence here, although for Bruce Road, there is reference to an “existing 750mm paved channel for cyclists”. This is only half the width given as the “absolute minimum” in Cycling by Design. In the phone conversation yesterday Scott also offered to have a look at the 750mm width to see if he could increase it to allow for cycles generally, ie including tricycles. If changes are to be carried out to the road to reduce speeding by “boy racers”, then surely cycling facilities can also be brought up to a good standard?

The three drawings provided by the Council are here: Bruce Road speed table spec Maxwell Drive speed table details Plan for Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road

This is not a Traffic Regulation Order; Scott Downie yesterday stated that one is not required for traffic calming. It is a notification that work is proposed and thus a standard consultation is carried out

If you know the area do please get your views into:  LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk

1.3 East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed Traffic Calming Measures – Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch

We first reported on something very similar to this back in August in Consultation Digest 16 item 1.3. The roads outside Hillhead Primary School are subject to a 30 mph speed limit but drivers exceed this. We  supported the introduction of traffic calming measures with this letter: GoBike Newdyke Road speed tables Letter 300817

We have now received this letter and information, again by snail mail (and it got a bit lost in our system!): Newdyke Road 2 . The letter refers to a previous letter of 5 November, which we do not have, but it looks as if the consultation has been reissued because a speed cushion on Newdyke Avenue had been ignored – oops. The proposal is now to remove this speed cushion; its function being overtaken by the larger speed table at the junction (see the drawing included in the information).

We will be writing a similar letter to the one of 30 August to maintain our support of this traffic calming measure.

1.4 East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed No Waiting and No Loading at any time Restrictions on Westerhill Road, Bishopriggs, closes 28 January 2019

Here is all the information we have received, 08 December, from East Dunbartonshire Council by post (we’ll follow up on this to see if we can get details electronically in future) including the plan: Westerhill Road

This view on GoogleEarth shows industrial units on the south side of this section of road with cars parked 2 wheels on the footway, 2 wheels on the road all the way along. This obviously prevents effective use of the footway by anyone trying to walk, use a wheelchair or push a pram and there is the risk of “dooring” for anyone who is cycling along here on the road. Our reply will be to support the proposal and support the potential for increased active travel. If you know the area and have any comments do get them to the Council and do please let us know at consultations@gobike.org so we can submit a well-informed response.

1.5 The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Road (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January 2019

We have been telling you about this bill in our two previous Digests 22 and 23 and we now have this extra bit of guidance for if you are contacting the MSPs specifically on the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee (John Mason (Shettleston), Richard Lyle (Uddingston & Bellshill)  Jamie Greene (West of Scotland Region)) or the Cabinet Ministers who might have the final say,  (Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside), Humza Yousaf (Glasgow Region), Derek Mackay (Renfrewshire North & West) and Aileen Campbell (Clydesdale)).

1. Consistency – from town to town across Scotland, drivers will expect to drive at 20 not 30 unless there is signage that allows them to drive at speeds in excess of 20.
2. Consistency – within towns, drivers will expect to drive at 20 unless there is signage that allows them to drive at speeds in excess of this. Currently there is a lack of consistency, with some proactive communities aiming to protect their schools and their local residential areas with a 20mph limit. There is an increasing number of city areas where local authorities are imposing a 20mph limit to make places more people-friendly and to encourage active travel.
3. Reduction in signage – as urban speeds go up and down there is signage at each change in speed and this will be reduced if the default speed is 20mph. Local communities will see the benefits of a lower speed limit and will resist moves to increase a limit to 30mph.
4. Reduction in pollution – as motor traffic moves at a lower, but importantly, more consistent speed, vehicle emissions will be reduced as there is less requirement to accelerate away from traffic lights. See link, (a), below
5. Reduced danger to pedestrians – it is widely recognised that a vehicle travelling at 20mph is less likely to kill or seriously injure a pedestrian with whom it collides, than if it is travelling at 30mph or more.
6. An improved environment for cycling – the speed differential between a motor vehicle and a bicycle is reduced from a factor of 3 or 4 to a factor of 2 or less. Bicycles can regularly travel at 10-12mph and more people will feel confident of cycling on road alongside motor traffic moving at no more than 20mph.
7. A reduction in motor traffic within towns – drivers will tend to use the outer ring roads where speed limits are 30mph or higher rather than a more direct route through an urban centre.
8. A reduction in congestion – as more drivers avoid urban centres and those who do travel within urban areas move at a more consistent speed, with less need to overtake etc.
9. Improved compliance, monitoring and enforcement of the speed limit – a consistent speed limit of 20mph, rather than one that changes across an urban area, will encourage compliance by drivers and ease any monitoring and compliance to be done by the authorities. See note (b) below.
10. Reduction in the requirement for “traffic calming” – local authorities are finding it necessary to install traffic calming measures, usually speed tables or cushions, to reduce motor traffic speeds to no more than 20mph. This expensive practice will not be so regularly required with a default speed of 20mph (Note that traffic calming can cost in the region of £60k vs £1k per km for speed limit signage).

(a) – see point 4 above – this link from a contribution to the Guardian newspaper provides interesting reading, including this quote:

“Research in Germany has shown that the greater the speed of vehicles in built-up areas, the higher is the incidence of acceleration, deceleration, and braking, all of which increase air pollution. German research indicates that traffic calming reduces idle times by 15%, gear changing by 12%, brake use by 14%, and gasoline use by 12% (Newman and Kenworthy 1992, 39–40). This slower and calmer style of driving reduces emissions, as demonstrated by an evaluation in Buxtehude, Germany. Table E-1 shows the relative change in emissions and fuel use when the speed limit is cut from 50kmh (31mph) to 30kmh (19mph) for two different driving styles. Even aggressive driving under the slower speed limit produces lower emissions (but higher fuel use) than under the higher speed limit, although calm driving produces greater reductions for most emissions and net fuel savings (Newman and Kenworthy 1992, 39 –40).”

The AA have carried out tests, see this article, to support a view that lower speed limits raise fuel consumption and hence pollution, although there is no mention of the reduced acceleration and braking when driving at a steady speed of 20. However the overriding concerns should be to reduce the severity of accidents and to encourage the switch to active travel. This article, “Speed reduction methods to promote road safety and save lives” gives a good summary of what can be done.

(b) – see point 9 above – Enforcement is an issue, but, like smoking and drink driving, the public mood must change. However, some enforcement will be needed and, given the other benefits – fewer and less-severe accidents, for example, Police Scotland and/or our Local Authorities should be funded accordingly.

Do remember the MSP briefing that Mark Ruskell sent to us,  SaferStreetsMSPbrief and please contact your MSP, particularly if they are mentioned above, to ask them to support this Bill.

1.6 Scottish Law Commission, Automated Vehicles Consultation, closes 08 February.

GoBike member, Derek MS, alerted us to this one, see this link and here’s the introduction from the News Release:

“The Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission are launching the first of a series of public consultations about crucial legal reforms which will ensure the country is prepared for the introduction of automated vehicles.
This is an early milestone in a three-year review to examine any legal obstacles to the widespread introduction of self-driving vehicles and highlight the need for regulatory reforms.
The work will be crucial in examining how current driving laws – designed with traditional motoring in mind – can support the next generation of vehicles.
The consultation will ask a series of questions to examine the types of changes that may be required to ensure the country is ready for the introduction of automated vehicles. This includes questions on if and how road rules should be adapted for automated vehicles, who would be responsible for accidents and how to ensure safety for passengers and the wider public.
The review is part of the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy.”

There’s no obvious mention of how these vehicles will interact with cycles, pedestrians and other non-motorised road users, so we will be thinking about our response.

1.7 Glasgow Strategic Development Frameworks for the River Clyde and Govan Partick closes 08 February 2019

Here’s the message we received earlier this month, just too late for our last Digest, from Glasgow City Council:

“Help shape the future of the River Clyde and Govan-Partick

As part of the implementation of the City Development Plan, ‘Strategic Development Frameworks’ (SDFs) are being prepared for 6 areas of major spatial change across the city. These SDFs are key instruments for implementing the Council’s strategic priorities, linking spatial planning and placemaking objectives with the priorities of communities. 

The Council are now consulting on draft versions of the River Clyde SDF and the Govan-Partick SDF.. These SDF documents along with an introductory document providing further information with regard to the background and Updates on the progress of the preparation and adoption process for the SDFs will be provided on the Council Development Plan webpage.

The Council is now required to process personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  For more information about this please see our privacy statement.

All comments should be submitted by 4pm on 8th February 2019.  In the interim, if you have any questions or want further information please contact SDFconsultation@glasgow.gov.uk.

Best regards

Spatial Strategy Team

Planning & Building Standards, Development & Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council, SDFconsultation@glasgow.gov.uk ”

The link to the consultations is here and the River Corridor Strategic Development Framework is here.  The Govan and Partick Strategic Development Framework is on this third link here.

Please get your views in if you live, work or travel in these areas and help us to develop our response either by an email to consultations@gobike.org or on the GoBike Slack Consultations channel.

1.8 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, closes 11 February 2019

Don’t forget to get your feedback in for this important consultation. Get your support in for an extension to the Bears Way, south to the Glasgow boundary on Maryhill Road. Plus other strategic routes are needed in East Dunbartonshire. There were details of the drop-in sessions in our previous Digest, No 23, see here . There’s news of the Transport Options Report, the first stage of the Local Transport Strategy here on the EDC website. Do have a look at it; all the drop-in sessions are listed too.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow Battlefield, news of the website and next Design Group meeting

Progress continues with the redevelopment of Battlefield. There’s a blog on this website showing the display boards from the drop-in event on 15 November along with photos from the day. The next meeting of the Battlefield Street Design Working Group, which includes GoBike, will be held on Tuesday 15 January. Further public events will be announced in due course.

2.2 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, Transport Options Report Stakeholder Workshop Thursday 24 January 2019 – 10am-12noon

We have been invited by East Dunbartonshire Council “to a stakeholder workshop we are holding on the Transport Options Report on Thursday 24 January 2019 – 10am-12noon. If you or any members of your organisation can join us at the workshop, please let me know by Monday 14 January 2019.”

This is, of course, in conjunction with Item 1.8 above. If you are a GoBike member who lives in East Dunbartonshire and would like to be one of our representatives at this event please email our co-convenors to let them know at convenor@gobike.org by Monday 07 January at the latest.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback and other information

3.1 Living Streets, the Pedestrian Pound Report

Earlier this month, 07 December, we got this message:

“Today we launched our updated Pedestrian Pound report which puts forward the business case for walking. Funded by Transport for Scotland, it looks at 20 case studies across the UK which show how making high streets better for walking can boost footfall and sales. The report finds shoppers arriving on foot spend up to six times more than those who arrive by car.

Read our full report here

High streets and town centres that are walkable, accessible and offer a diverse range of retail, culinary and cultural activities have a bright future.  

Read our Pedestrian Pound report here and use it to inspire your local council to invest in your walking environment.

Many thanks for your support.

Stuart Hay
Living Streets Scotland”

Clearly walking, and cycling, are the way to go, so do use this report to strengthen your arguments for an improved active travel environment. We have added it to our ever growing Evidence pages on our website.

3.2 Without consultation! Glasgow City Council Minor Cycle Works, upgrade to shared path North Street / Piccadilly Street

Yes, that’s right, Glasgow City Council carry out minor works to cycle routes in response to individual requests and the new improved raised table across the exit from North Street to Piccadilly Street is one of them. It’s just at the turn off from the northbound carriageway of North Street into Piccadilly Street (outlined in red above) and concern had been expressed that vehicles were crossing the shared path too quickly. The path now continues at grade. There aren’t any road markings to announce this change to drivers as yet, but GoBike have asked that the council ensure these are added.

If you would like something to be added to Glasgow City Council’s Minor Cycle Works Contract do email in to either: sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk or LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk and then hope that it gets on the list.

And here’s further evidence that these small things get done, see: https://twitter.com/erniemarples/status/1074598863552565248?s=12 Well done not only to Glasgow City Council but to the people who report these small suggestions for improvments. It’s the small things that can make all the difference.

3.3 Glasgow North East Active Travel Routes

Just received yesterday – clearing the decks for the holidays – is this message from Glasgow City Council:

“Dear Ms Fort,

I write further to previous correspondence regarding the North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) project and can advise as follows:

The findings of the consultation have been reviewed and were recently published in a report available via glasgow.gov.uk/neatr.

A summary is presented below:

• Improvements to active travel and sustainable transport must come by supplying the conditions for encouraging positive choices that are either missing or currently unattractive.
• Enabling people’s choices by introducing enhanced infrastructure is critical to achieving these aims.
• The NEATR design proposals aim to reflect those priorities.
• A variety of individuals and organisations with a wide range of opinions made representations to the consultation.
• Support for most aspects of the proposal were found amongst nearly all user groups.
• Where written comments raised concerns, specific responses have been provided.
• Following on from this consultation, a detailed design is being compiled, taking into account the scope for improvements made evident as a result of this review.
• The design is expected to be concluded by the end of 2018, with tenders sought subsequently.
• Construction is expected to take place in 2019.

I trust this is of assistance; should you require any further information, please contact Wesley Wright on 0141 287 9478.

Tam McKee, Asst Group Manager (Sustainable Transport), Land and Environmental Services”

You might remember that back in August in Digest 16 we encouraged you to support these ambitious plans for the north east of the city, so we look forward to seeing the results.

3.4 Glasgow Elmbank Street one-way – interest from Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council

You may remember that for some time now we have been campaigning to ensure that two-way cycle traffic is allowed on that part of Elmbank Street between Bath Street and Sauchiehall Street? Here’s the e-mail correspondence: Sauchiehall Elmbank email chain 2017-8 which we published in November in Digest 22 . GoBike has now heard back from the local Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council, who might be able to help us. We will keep you informed, but if you live in Ward 10 Anderston/City please do ask your City Councillors what is the position here.

So that’s it for this Digest and for 2018. We’ll be back in January but, when you are writing your letter to Santa, do remember to ask for a few good quality cycle routes – and let’s hope we all have a Happy New Year.

“Cycling is going to change the world. Er, hold on you say, that’s a bit much isn’t it? Well, it changed my world in the little part of it I started really using a bike to get around in, here in Glasgow, and I truly believe that that can extend to the rest of the world. When I first realised that through travelling by bike, I could ditch the crowded bus, avoid the congestion, yet get to work faster and still not have to go to the gym in the evenings, my opportunities and horizons were opened up and suddenly I’d grown wings. I no longer had to worry about travel timetables, I had the freedom to go wherever I wanted to, by whatever route I chose, and I could stop off wherever took my whim. And I saved so much money on travelling around the city that it meant I could buy even more bikes! Oh and there’s more, I was fitter, healthier, energised and happy in the knowledge that I wasn’t impacting on the environment. And my happiness was fed further by all these other wonderful people on bikes, who’d chat about the weather at traffic lights, encourage me at locking stands, and nod conspiratorial hellos when out on the road. Cycling has given me absolute freedom.

I am aware though, that if you cycle in the West of Scotland you will know all of this, because these are the things that keep people here riding, because as you will also know, riding a bike here can often be really tough. The cycling infrastructure we have is few and far between, and the design and maintenance of what little we do have is decades behind the forward thinking cities in Europe. Our cycle paths tend to meander the long way round through back streets, taking us away from our desire lines of travel. What we need are direct routes if people are going to see cycling as a viable transport option. Direct routes such as the ill-fated and incomplete Bearsway that needed and failed to find brave political decisions to take space away from the motorist. We have a proliferation of shared use paths as the majority share of our cycling network. Shared use paths put people walking and cycling into conflict, they create confusion, they disappear as invisibly as they appear, and are simply not a good design for cycling speeds. Yet even now they are being built as standard into new infrastructure in areas like Govan Fastlink. Cycling around our networks, it is clear that very few of our paths join up, and we are often spat out with no consideration into busy roads. Some roads provide non-enforcable bike lanes in paint, often in the door zone, offering no protection and in many ways actually putting us in greater danger. Maintenance of the parts of the network we do have is given very low priority within our councils, where leaves can render some parts unusable during Autumn, ice, the same during Winter, and glass, potholes and parking are rife within our cycling spaces during the rest of the year. Our car-centric provision and attitudes can make folk on bikes feel very unwelcomed on our roads. Put in short, it’s not always pretty out there.

But things are slowly improving, thanks in a large part to cycling campaigners in organisations such as GoBike who have given up their free time and put in masses of work and effort into fighting for cycling to be considered and for better design. It is starting to feel like our voices are being heard in parliament and by some forward thinking councillors, and even out on the roads I am starting to see a difference not only in the improved design of lanes such as the South West City Way, but in the number of cyclists out using them all year round. I’m so excited that one of my main commuting routes up Victoria Road is soon to become a segregated cycle lane. There are big plans afoot for more people friendly spaces all over the city, in Woodlands, Battlefield, Byres Road, Queen Margaret Drive, and many others.  We have our hands full making sure that these plans have our needs properly met, but that’s a good thing, and it’s why we need your input. Already we have intrepid GoBike members out there working hard on mini-campaigns such as Space for People Byres Road, and Friends of the South City Way. This coming year we are going to need you all to get more involved and if you feel like you can be a part of our movement, you can help by joining our membership and having your head counted to make our voice more significant. Get involved in our conversation on Slack (drop us an email expressing your interest), you can help us write to councillors, show them your local roads, respond to consultations, like and share our social media, write us a blog, tell your friends about us, and engage in some real world action like the Ride for a Better Byres Road. We’d also love to know what you would like to see from us, and how you think we can improve as a campaign. Let us know your feedback and ideas – both Dave and I can be reached on convenors at gobike dot org .

It’s clear that these positive changes we are starting to see are going to take time to manifest onto our roads, and while that happens, people on bikes are facing challenges on a daily basis. I too face these daily challenges and that is a part of what gives me the push to want to fight harder to make the changes better and make them happen faster. I know that my co-convening sidekick Dave also faces similar regular challenges out on the road, and having already worked closely with him on projects like Pedal on Parliament, and Friends of Bearsway, I’ve seen how his energy, smart thinking and innovative approach can be of a huge benefit to pushing campaigns forward. I hope that by working together Dave and I can continue to lead GoBike forward as a force to be reckoned with.

So can cycling really change our world? In a country where 26% of us are living in poverty and 91% of low income families do not own a car, yet our roads are congested and overloaded and our health is putting pressure on the NHS to breaking point, I think the answer has to be yes. I believe that campaigns like GoBike will help to bring about a turning point towards a more utopian and people friendly way of living for us all. Dave and I are both really super excited about becoming co-convenors of GoBike and hope that you can help us guide you to change the West of Scotland to become better for people of all ages and all sizes, on and not yet on bikes. Thanks for having us along for the ride!”

“When I am talking to someone in my cycle campaigning capacity I often find myself saying, ‘Current cyclists cycle despite the conditions, not because of them’. With a small adjustment that saying accurately describes the world of cycle campaigning up until very recently:

Many campaigners have campaigned for better cycle infrastructure, despite the political conditions, certainly not because of them!

For many years the ‘political will’ has not existed for the changes required to bring active travel to the masses. Many politicians in the past have given short shrift to the idea of adjusting the balance of the environment, away from the motor vehicle and towards more sustainable transport. The car has very much been the king in Glasgow and the surrounding areas for many years with the M8 being the greatest monument to the cause.

Despite a very unfavourable environment, campaign groups like GoBike have worked tirelessly over the years to try and improve the lot of those who chose alternative forms of transport. It’s been tough, and whilst the victories haven’t been widespread, there have been victories.

When I helped to set up the Pedal on Parliament campaign back in 2012, I got a taste of that environment, having attended a meeting where a transport minister almost shouted at us for not praising his pitiful attempts at ‘driver education’, and another meeting where a Glasgow councillor stated that he would never set a percentage of the transport budget aside for active travel, as long as he was in post.

However, even back in 2012, the environment was changing. The Times were actively campaigning for better infrastructure, City of Edinburgh Council were starting to talk about a big change in policy. The political environment was changing, all be it slowly.

Fast forward to today and we find ourselves in a very different situation. We have an Environment Minister who not only talks a good game, but actually puts his money where his mouth is. We have the council in Edinburgh spending 10% of its transport budget on active travel, and we have a Glasgow council that actually rates active travel and the local environment high up on its priority list.

Things are far from rosy of course. Edinburgh is still making significant design mistakes in its proposals, ‘Bikelash’ is a very real thing (I know this personally from East Dunbartonshire and Bears Way), and there are still areas where paint is seen as an adequate solution. However, the debate has well and truly moved on, with the vast majority of new cycle lane design proposals including segregated infrastructure. That just did not happen 10 years ago.

The  campaign discussion itself has also moved on, and more and more we are talking about ‘place’ and ‘people friendly’, rather than focusing on just the cycle infrastructure. It’s not about catering for cyclists, its about catering for people and enabling people to make their own decisions on which mode of transport suits a particular journey, and making sure that that mode is catered for.

Personally I’ve been lucky with my timing. Pedal on Parliament was a great achievement and all of us involved should be proud of what we achieved, but that only happened because there were also improvements in the political environment. It also feels like I am lucky in my timing for being accepted as Co-Convener of GoBike along with Iona. Glasgow is in a great position to make big strides over the next few years. Those that came before us have not been so lucky.

Thus, I think it is entirely appropriate to say that Iona and I, ‘stand on the shoulders of campaigning giants’. We are truly thankful to Tricia and all those who have been working hard in GoBike for many years, who have helped bring us to this point today.

We must not, though, be complacent. As demonstrated in Bears Way, something I will be revisiting in the future, there will be trouble along the way and we must prepare for that. As well as being willing to criticise the bad, we must be willing to praise the good, and to help our politicians to make the difficult decisions. We must also understand that not every decision will be exactly what we want, and we must accept that there will be a compromise or two along the way.

However, I am excited to be jointly at the helm of GoBike at what is undoubtedly an exciting time. I am particularly excited to be working with Iona, who I worked with in organising PoP Glasgow. Iona is full of fantastic ideas (far more then me!) and has the drive to take them forward. Along with Iona, and of course the rest of the GoBike team, I will strive to work with councillors and council officers to ensure that we get the best value for our money and the highest quality possible in Glasgow and the surrounding areas. I also aim to encourage more hyperlocal campaigns such as Friends of Bears Way, which will benefit from the backing of GoBike.

How are we going to achieve this? With your help. GoBike is only as good as its membership, so if you care about anything I’ve written about above, join us. Join as a member , join the conversation on Slack (drop us an email at convenor at gobike dot org to ask for a Slack invite) and spread the word to cyclist and non-cyclist alike, that Glasgow has the potential to be so much greater than it is already.

Together we can help to put people and people friendly environments back at the heart of our communities.”

Our friends in the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain are holding their AGM in Glasgow this year, see: https://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/news/2017/07/20/save-the-date-embassy-agm-in-glasgow-16th-17th-september

The weekend is full of cycling safaris developed by our very own Andy Preece as well as lots of cycling discussion and activity plus a get-together for food and drink.

The event is being held at the Whisky Bond, co-locating with Cyclehack which starts on Friday evening.

We have got to know about this year’s European Cycling Challenge whereby all of us cycling in Glasgow  – and the surrounding areas (new for this year) can record our cycle journeys.  GoBike has mapped the data from last year, which ties in well with Strava data and Glasgow City Council cordon count data, and has presented this evidence of where people cycle  – and thus where we need good quality cycle infrastructure – to none less than the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf.

So, do join in this year. Cycling UK Glasgow’s regular Saturday morning ride from the People’s Palace will be ending the ride at this launch. Here’s a copy of the e-mail from Glasgow City Council, which has the information and links that you need:

Show that you support the space for cycling that we need – and we need the extension of the Bears Way – by joining this GoBike ride out to the Allander, via Kirkintilloch and Milngavie.  If that’s too much, do please join the ride on the Bears Way.  Details in the link to the Friends of the Bears Way, see below:

Sunday 6 November – Strathblane Railway Path & Bears Way (amendment)
This month we have a quick ride out along the Forth & Clyde Canal to Kirkintilloch, followed by the Strathkelvin Railway Path to Strathblane, and then via minor roads over the hill to Milngavie. After lunch in a local café, we shall proceed to the Allander Centre to join the Bears Way Advocacy Ride due to start at 1.30pm.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.

We have reported recently on the terrible decisions made by councillors in East Dunbartonshire and South Ayrshire.  Here’s the Sustrans view, by the Director of Sustrans Scotland, John Lauder:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/blog/when-vision-cycling-stalls-reflecting-tough-decisions#.V_uV1n9kS7k.twitter

In a disgraceful turn of events yesterday evening (Thursday 29 September) East Dunbartonshire Council voted against Phase 2, the continuation down to Kessington, of the Bears Way, A81 segregated cycle way.  This is how the Milngavie & Bearsden Herald reported the story: http://www.milngavieherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/phase-2-of-bears-way-is-not-going-ahead-1-4245341

It was the SNP and Liberals who voted against!  The SNP, in government at Holyrood, who support, so we hear, the aim of 10% of journeys being by bike by 2020!  If you live in the area, please write to your councillor – apparently some of them have never had a communication in support of the cycle route.  The car lobby has won this battle but we must make sure they don’t win the war (of words).